Immigration crackdown – 110 caught on overstay

It was announced by immigration yesterday that 108 foreigners have been rounded up for visa overstay and other crimes after the authorities decided to make regular checks on foreign visitors from the 19th to the 25th of every month. So far they have apprehended three Vietnamese, one man from Bangladesh, one man from Sri Lanka, fifteen from India, fifty from Pakistan, a Liberian, a Mali national, three Nigerians, three from Papua New Guinea and eight Somalis.

Pol. Lt. General Natthorn Praosunthorn, the Immigration Bureau Chief said that Prime Minster Prayut Chan-o-cha had issued an order banning those on overstay of more than one year from returning to the Kingdom for three years. Anybody on overstay for more than three years will be refused entry for five years and those on an overstay of more than five years will not be permitted into the country for a decade. Those who have overstayed are being encouraged to hand themselves in or face heavier penalties when caught. Natthorn said that the crackdown was part of a scheme to boost security in the country as many foreign visitors who overstay their visas are also involved in crime.

A French man has also been arrested and charged with murder, detention and robbery as well as an American who has been charged with assault and a Russian wanted on charges of fraud and money laundering.